The 50-year-old, of Portland Road, Hucknall, and his brother, Louis Robinson, 58, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and producing the illegal plant. Hallam - who had no previous convictions - admitted a charge of abstracting electricity - £1,700 worth.

They were both given community orders and 150 hours of unpaid work when they attended court to be sentenced.

Judge Sally Hancox adjourned a proceeds of crime hearing for mention in the week of May 7.

She referred to the good character of both men and "their utter stupidity for getting involved in this enterprise".

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After their arrest, Hallam had given the explanation about the dog, while Robinson, of Devonshire Street, Mansfield, accepted his involvement setting up the grow, saying he would have got some of the cannabis himself because he suffered from back problems.

The court also heard they were primarily growing the plants for a third party who supplied cuttings and equipment - but they had not received any payment because they had not handed over the cuttings or the crop before police arrived.